Sunday, April 20, 2014

News Traders & Interviews

In recent times the one series that
comes to my mind on tough-talking interviews is BBC’s “Hard Talk”, especially with its first presenter Tim Sebastian. He anchored the series
for nearly seven years. Tim was skilful in asking the toughest questions without
intimidating or screaming at his guests. When he didn’t get an answer he pushed
the question further but never appeared bent on demanding the answer he “wanted
to hear”. In addition, he had a good voice which added pleasantness to the hard
questions he asked. In India some like Karan Thapar imitate Sebastian but KT
comes out with a scowling face, growling voice and distinct unpleasantness.
Others like Barkha Dutt, Arnab Goswami
and Rajdeep Sardesai conduct interviews with a pre-set agenda which becomes very evident to the viewer apart from the
fluffiness of their show. And if, by mistake, someone did give an interview to
C5M Sagarika Ghose, I would have to categorise that person as a moron too. It
is in this context that I have assessed some of the best interviews this
election season to be of Narendra Modi by Rajat
Sharma of IndiaTV, Sanjay Pugalia
of CNBCAwaaz and Smita Prakash of
ANI News.

To set the record straight, Rajat
Sharma’s “Aap ki Adalat” is NOT a
typical interview. It is more of an entertaining chat show. The Adalat does
not, naturally, make any adverse pronouncements on the guest. Therefore, some
media folks cribbing against Sharma’s show (calling it fixed, scripted etc)
neither understand it, nor the context. Even Ajay Maken had to fall into the
silly crowd and play the fool:

What made Sharma’s show a high-TRP hit
is that watching Modi in any show itself is a pleasant experience for most
people. He exudes hope, positivity and speaks
the way only a man with tremendous commitment, wisdom and work-experience can.
Only his opponents and detractors, who will rant even if Modi walks on water,
will deny that. Thus, a Modi interview is now a bigger challenge to an
interviewer as compared to interviewing some other politician. Even when Madhu Kishwar merely got a
“conversational” recording of Modi which was aired on NewsX the typical green
media-morons reacted stupidly. It wasn’t an interview by any measure but more
like a documentary presenting the Modi-side of the story on 2002 and other
issues. The reason for ridiculing that film is that idiots like Rajdeep,
Barkha, Saba Naqvi (a frequent flyer on TimesNow) believe that Modi would have
told a different story had they interviewed him. That’s how idiotic their bunch
is. Modi uses the term “News Traders”
for this sorry lot of losers who neither have any morals nor any journalistic
principles. Let’s look at two of the recent interviews of political figures;
one of Modi and the other of Raj
Thackeray.

There may hardly be an interview where
the interviewer doesn’t feel “I forgot
to ask that question” or “I should
have asked that question differently”. Some of it comes out of poor
homework. While the overall interview was fair, here’s a quick look at the
Smita Prakash (SP) interview and you’ll see how she goofs up on multiple issues
(6.30 mins):

00.17 What’s your strategy against Kejriwal? That’s a lame
question and maybe it wasn’t worded properly and it got a simple answer from
Modi. I’m sure SP would want to think how she could have rephrased it.

00.30 SP says RahulG talks about women’s security and of
Gujarat being an offender in that regard. Now, questions like “he said, she said” are dumb because
political opponents mostly say stupid things about each other. It needs some
data digging before posing such a quote. Naturally, Modi easily dismisses it
with Congress having 7 among top 10 state govts where crimes against women are
high.

01.45 Congress says Modi spends 10000 crores on marketing
himself. This was the dumbest of the lot. It was dumb also because SP is
quoting Congress again. Modi tells her not
to pass off a Congress question as her own unless she believes what they say.
The awful truth that comes out of this question is that media folks don’t really
understand what can be marketed and what cannot. They also do not understand the difference between advertising and
publicity. When a villager in UP talks about the “Gujarat Model”, it’s
because some friends or family members have been telling him stories about
Gujarat, through their transactions and experiences. You cannot market a bad product for sustained period of 4-5 years.
The Gujarat story is being talked about for many years. “Experience” is felt
and related to others. For instance, did it take Sanjaya Baru’s book for people to believe SoniaG was the backseat
PM who was clearing files? Most people knew MMS was a puppet without any book
or document. They see it, they hear it and they sense it.

05.25 This is not only dumb but even alarming. SP says many feel the High Court may not
accept the SIT report that has been accepted by the lower court. After the
same SIT report SC did not find any merit to intervene. How on earth did SP or
anyone derive or conclude HC may not accept the SIT findings? Such moronic
speculation is passed off as a question. Modi went past it but it actually
deserved a spanking.

In general, I think SP was overawed with
getting a chance, probably unexpected, to interview Modi. She asked him if
media would be under threat if he became PM and he explains no editor or
reporter has ever been thrown out of Gujarat in 14 years of his CMship. Also,
it’s the media darling Kejriwal who has held out such threats. Ironically, SP
happens to be a “news trader” and I say
that in a good sense. As far as I know, ANI News, of which she is an
editor, does not run a channel of its own but feeds news videos to news
channels. Their basic business is selling news to news outlets. Maybe she lacks
the experience of interviewing top leaders but in the overall context she did a
good job. But what one would really like to see is questions on how Modi will
deal with important issues; say, like the Naxal problem. A question that asks
him to outline in 2-3 points how he will turn around the economy, create jobs
and so on. Instead, it is more of the same “he said, she said” type of interviews
that the media sells. The other interview of
the week simply has to be the worst of the year. Here’s Rajdeep with Raj Thackeray
(6.12 mins):

Rajdeep’s interview with RajT came on
the back of one already done by Arnab Goswami. Right from the start till the
end Rajdeep’s questions are a bundle of absolute BS. Poor body language,
arrogantly waving hands and fingers at the guest, jumping out of the seat often
are all signs of a moron who has forgotten his job. Not just that, Rajdeep
believes RajT is a joker who is just to be ridiculed unlike SoniaG who he
worships. I am no fan of either of the Senas but once you have a guest as an interviewer
you treat him or her with a certain amount of respect. I have called Rajdeep
the “Father of media-filth” and he
gives us proof again.

00.15 Rajdeep keeps asking if RajT’s objective is to defeat
SS or to help Modi become a PM. Even after RajT says he wants to help Modi
become PM Rajdeep keeps trolling him. RajT’s answer isn’t wrong. He says
clearly backs Modi and not BJP. It is morons like Rajdeep who don’t get it that
RajT may not have backed someone else from BJP in the same manner. Rajdeep keeps
repeating “Modi and BJP” are the same. They are in the same party but they are
not the same candidate. Clearly, Modi gets a backing that others like Rajnath
or Advani may not have received from RajT. It seems this doesn’t go through the
head of Rajdeep.

02.10 Rajdeep tells him “log kehte hai”, people say “Raj
bhokta hai” (“Barks”). Now what kind of extreme moron would use language
like that with his guest? Only a third-rate filth from the lowest gutter would
do that. And Rajdeep says “log kehte hai”. Well “log” also say Rajdeep is
corrupt, he is a Dalal and got his 52-crore bungalow by corruption. Oh wait,
that’s not just “log”, it was one of his ex-employee who said that.

02.32 RajT is absolutely right when he points out Rajdeep
had built his own ‘political party’ AAP, which flopped in 49 days. Everyone
knows that! “Log” kehte hai Rajdeep was and is a pimp for the AAP party. He was
the one who awarded an IOTY to Arvind Kejriwal. His channel was the one who
gave maximum air time to AAP. So while pimping for AAP Rajdeep thinks he has
the moral authority to question the future of RajT’s party. Naturally, RajT cut
him to his pygmy size and put him place for his political pimping.

03.06 On reporting only violence from MNS and not Assam
violence against Biharis, Rajdeep is so bamboozled it is simply unbelievable.
The moron blurts out “Listen to my
double standards”. That is how drunk he is and unaware of what he is
uttering.

03.31 Rajdeep says “log kehte hai” RajT is a nautanki and
dramabaaz. There isn’t much to say for this except that Rajdeep has nurtured
the biggest nautankis in the media; Kejriwal
and the Category5Moron Sagarika. Both are ingredients of the nautanki of
CNN-IBN. I think Sonia’s poodle already knows this. “Log kehte” hai Rajdeep is
a “bika hua news trader”. I don’t think
many will disagree.

Those were the two contrasting interviews
of the past week. Clearly, the interviewer looks better with Modi because he
calmly answers questions. The corrupt news traders like Rajdeep and Sagarika
were earlier screaming “Modi doesn’t take questions”. Now they are mourning
Modi is doing a media blitzkrieg. They have reached a “saturation” point as mentioned in the interview. Rajdeep and his
ilk are stuck in 2002 and their brain died that year. The extra-ordinary claim
that Rajdeep makes in his interview is he
is not a public figure. That should explain his irresponsible behaviour
throughout his TV career. When the editor of a TV channel believes he is not a “public figure” you know he has thrown
out accountability and responsibility long back. That one single claim by
Rajdeep explains who is a “news trader” and who is a real interviewer or
journalist.

75 comments
:

But what is the solution, way forward , escape out of the tyranny of news traders monipolising the public discourse ??? They have been in the scene for far too long . Despite being corrupt, poodles, suckers , moronic , sychopants . We have been tolerating them for long even as they have contributed to decay of public discourse

I think there is only one solution. Boycott such people and mass counter of their idiotic views on twitter. Which stupid media baron will hire a guy who cant bring in trp's and has a complete negative image? He should be either forced to change himself to be neutral or push him to an extent where he ends up being considered as worthless in his career.

Agree. I have stopped subscribing Print media for 15 years now and stopped following TV news for a decade or so. But one or few individuals do not make any difference. Political parties , large business houses will need to mobilize masses and effect such a mass boycott. TN politicians have such influence . bjp is too average.

also the Tool 'interviewed' AS. the tool has now changed hands but maintains the same hatred. it was not an interview! the interviewee listened to the tool most of the time who seemed to have fits of vitriol while talking about NAMO

Tool of Head Lines Today was interviewing Arun Shouri.Anybody could make out the Paranoia about Modi afflicting the MSM .In spite of Shouri`s masterly explanations Tool was repeating the same foolish apprehensions like a worn out gramaphone plate.It was digusting.

Brilliant analysis. RajT interview was probably the worst in the history of journalism. RS was literally condescending in his questions, and appeared to be making a joke out of his guest. I am surprised he didn't actually get slapped by RajT. However, RajT did give back to him with equal vigour on some questions. His manners were filthy and questions were straight from the gutter. He showed total lack of respect for his guest and his answers. "He is not a public figure and that he didn't care about what "log" talks about him" tells you what level RS has stooped down to. No wonder this moron arouses the worst sadistic side of his listeners.

Rajdeep was pathetic, felt like slapping him while watching on youtube itself, kudos to Raj T for handling that interview. To Arnab's repeated questions to Raj T on Modi, he gave a perfect retort that "you have interviewed Rahul Gandhi, do you think he is future of this nation?". It was clear from Arnab's expression that he wasn't expecting this kind of in your face retort :)

Well done Ravi. Admire your conviction and hard work, without which we mortals would have trusted the Presstitutes or Newstraders.

We knew all along that Ajay M is another moron, may be C4M. If he gets some training with Rajdeep he will also get as good as devout Hindu C5M. Whether BJP is spending 10,000 crores or not is not sure, but for sure Congis would have paid these Presstitutes more than billions of dollars. All the money from Swiss and Italian Banks, and Damadjee's hard earned money in Dubai Banks might have been used for these Presstitutes.

Wonderful. Each and every question, debate n documentary of certain news-traders has a hidden agenda.I can't believe this happening in India for all these years. People like Ravinar ji are the need of the hour.Hope some more people with such talent, logic emerge to educate in regional languages also.(not him directly, as he is doing tremendous work now itself)

These News Traders are at best skilled Irriitators! Only someone like RT can give it back to the likes of Arnab and Rajdeep.It is high time these Anchors learn to be good Moderators, Excellent Article!

You know I hate the divisive and regional politics that Mr Raj Thackrey plays but Rajdeep Sardesai is a fucking moron of the first order..... I mean after spending so many years on the national television, he still does not know how to treat his guest with politeness and graciousness.. What he doesnt understand is that in the process of trying to make Raj Thackrey look stupid, he is making a complete fool of himself. What a fucking loser!!

The way SP interviewed Modi was only a civilised version of the RajT interview by Rajdeep.

Of course SP could not dare to be aggressive and rude with Modi...however her questions carried a similar cynical streak. She and none of the other Presstitutes could ever dream of questioning SoniaG, Pappu or Pappi in a similar fashion. The only reason that these folks can dare to treat Modi worse than he deserves is because Modi is a fair and just man. He did not use any dirty tricks against the media. He quietly chiselled away at his task and shut everyone up just by his extraordinary work.

You are right about the feel-good factor that Modi generates. I have heard more than 50 of his campaign speeches any many more speeches at other occasions. Not only does he have something new in every speech, but also every speech is filled with hope and a mission. A Modi speech always makes people feel important and worthy. He always talks of participation in the nation-building process. Modi never talks like a monarch addressing his subjects.

I am no fan of RajT or his politics. Ramdas Swami had said in Marathi "thakasi asawe mahathak", which roughly translates to "tit for tat"...or that a crook needs to be treated with shrewdness. When one encounters media-thugs like Rajdeep and Arnab, the only way to deal with them is like RajT did.

Thanks Ravinar, I was waiting for your article about these interviews. When I see the sheer injustice of the way media treat Modi, your words help me to express my anger too.

ISI's Honey Bee in India is none other than Rajdeep. He used the services of his spouse and other media agents to accomplish his tasks. RS turned media agents into a prostitution circle to get vital information from political actors. The untimely death of Hasan Gafoor, Mumbai police commissioner timed with revelation of Honey Bee only complicates involvement of many state actors. What task was assigned to RS by his sponsors? To divide India like USSR. What would he get in return. A political empire, a Presidency of a divided nation. Does anyone remember William Randolph Hearst?

THE Raj T SardesaI was like WWF match. Pls watch on YouTube. Sar dard Desai should now be promoted to CAT7 moron position. Raj T slammed RS that this is interview, not interrogation and asked him to sit back and lower his voice. Sardard Desai was making so funny hand gestures that Raj started imitating him in the end.

Some Qs like bhonkta hair, Dalal or log kehhte hair was pornography journalism. Can't believe that despite basic journalism skills, how Sardesai rose to the top.

The overall social and moral deterioration which has affected each and every section of society has affected journalism as well...each and every media folk knows this...thats why there was no huge cry when NaMo categorized them as real media Vs News Traders...since he was mentioning only the Truth. Now how to solve this? I don't think its possible to solve this issue...what I mean is whatever you do, there will always be news traders...but a good leader can balance this out by encouraging a fresh breed of honest and "neutral" journalists who put nothing but the nations interests first while reporting whether its about ruling party or opposition...I have every reason to believe that NaMo might encourage such species...and that will strengthen the fourth pillar of our democracy...

These news traders survive and prosper, when you have a 'leader' in the country such as we have!!!! A strong leader who has country's interest at heart and who does not require sycophants will not even look at them and this way news traders will die a natural death. I HOPE!

I always love the pieces where you do comparison of "interviews" or programme done by different anchors on a similar topic. And unerringly you zeroed in on the lowest note of the BAR "Rajdeep Sardesai" and taken him to task in your usual inimitable way. A journo who cannot control his body language, movements and his tongue especially during a interview has no business to be in any communication business let alone a mass medium like TV. And disrespecting a guest you've invited to your house or your company indicates complete lack of ethics or morals on the part of journo and Rajdeep has done this repeatedly (He called Modi "mass murderer" in an event he had hosted in which Modi was guest). To be a lowlife par excellence he doesn't even have guts to insult his guests directly but uses the shameful figleaf of "log kehte hai". You are absolutely right when you say this hateful duo of Rajdeep and Sagarika are the "father and mother of filth". And they work overtime daily to prove you right by their utterances. If they really believe in their God Jesus, hope on this Easter day they bury all their hatred and "resurrect" themselves as good human beings first and then as journalists - Amen.

i have a different take on 'raj thackeray' interviews being shown on news channels

you must be enjoying lots of interviews of narender modi being given to many news agencies & news channels recently and then being telecasted all across those news channels – well – good for channels-good for people-good for nation.

however, something very interesting seems to be happening along with it and that is – interviews-interviews & interviews of angry young man – raj thackeray of MNS and criminal-communal & corrupt – azam khan of SP and that toooo being broadcasted on each & every news channel. you all must be thinking – what’s the big deal in it – they both speak well – they both commands considerable clout-impact & authority & they both be given this opportunity – isn’t it – so what all the fuss is about – why are we discussing about it – ok – very well

now tell me – when was the last time anyone of you saw any of the interview of ‘arnab-goswami’ of english news channel – times now – even with the top-most political personality being shown in any hindi news channel – read one more time – any hindi news channel ever before – the answer is ‘never before this’ – so here’s presenting this great interview at ‘news 24′ & ‘news express’ and that too – without any cuts-ditto-as it is.

so what has happened so suddenly that his long-long interviews are being conducted by every news channel simultaneously – ‘india tv’ – ‘cnn ibn’ – ‘aaj tak’ – ‘cnn’ – ‘headlines today’ – you name it – he will be seen on it – has he done anything great-of late that he is getting so-so much footage-focus & attention – for your kind information – next phase of voting for Maharashtra is scheduled on 24th April – so all of it makes sense – isn’t it.

now the interview part : ‘raj thackeray’ showing his inclination-his admiration-his support for modi-modi & only modi – is nothing but a farce-a fraud-a cunning political move. do remember that he has shown utter contempt for modi’s party-BJP in the past and even now-he hasn’t changed his colours – don’t forget that – this time around – he was cajoled by BJP & even by modi’s personal representative for – not to contest – not to field his candidates against BJP-Shiv Sena coalition and to withdraw from these elections – which is a do or die election for BJP – for people – for country – to stop the splitting of votes between MNS & Shiv Sena as both enjoys the same voter base – same electorate & same ideology and yet all the efforts drew absolute blank – he didn’t budge – he didn’t relent – even when it was apparent that – it is BJP – who in all likelihood will form the next national government.

For that matter each and every Programme on all these Channels are filled with the Gutter even in a Bollywood Polarised programme on two channels anchors were giving more time to Pseudo Secular forces and another one came out with his personal problems "Like My Son was Linked with david Headley" well I think Modi is 100% right in ANI Interview that these never wanted to find out the Truth / want to know the Truth. On HeadLines Today lot of Separatist Sympathisers were saying that Modi ran away from KT 's Interview when asked question on Supreme Court Observation "Modern Days Nero" of course Modi asked him the Judge Name and wanted to see the Statement on record which Kt never been able to produce till today. and Modi walked out of the Interview. Same way RajT Threatend Arnab walking out of the Interview when Repeated the same question so many times. They have "Selective Listening Problem" because they want to report from their Air Condition Offices.

then why this love-pyaar & mohabbat only for modi – well, the answer is – there is big modi wave across the most parts of india and it is very strong-clear & visible in raj’s own maharashtra & this time – they all are showing great leanings towards modi. so-it is this very reason that he is highlighting his fondness for modi to make voter aware – that – as voters want to go for modi – he too is with modi – so they shouldn’t fear for the defeat of modi – if they vote for raj’s MNS and so they can very well go with his party and it will eventually go to modi.

hi ravinar : the comment is bit long : if it is 'ok' with you - please read it @ ashley1888.wordpress.com

but the fact is he is fighting against shiv sena in every constituency so it's a clear cut strategy of splitting the votes of modi in the name of modi and ultimately benefitting Congress & NCP and that's the reason he is getting enormous coverage on every news channel and that's exactly what congress wants and that's why congress ordered all the news channels to take his interview to send message to all his voters that they can safely vote for MNS - as vote for MNS - is vote for modi. so by wearing the mask of modi - he is planning to defeat modi.

...And if, by mistake, someone did give an interview to C5M Sagarika Ghose, I would have to categorise that person as a moron too... I spilled hot tea over myself laughing at this n I'm going to sue you for this.. Lol

Great post as usual. 2 super hilarious interviews of the week was raj with arnab and sar dard desai. Raj showed them their place and for the first time probably won a lot of hearts as well with his repartees. I feel the raj interview was aimed at the voters in UP and Bihar.....message was that raj supports modi and raj is against north indians....so to imply that modi is somehow supportive of such agenda which is y both arnab and rajdeep were going on and on about the same question to manufacture a controversy. Also Ravinar pls note suddenly in the last week there is a flurry if anti modi articles across print media, there is an attempt to create unnecessary fear among minorities and it will get worse in the next 2 weeks. Tragedy though is that in every interview modi is coming across with commendable thoughts but media has no time for the same.

My vote for Raj T. That's the way to payback. From his conversation (my very first watching of him), I aam also of the opinion that his building a separate party is justified and seems to be very clear about his ideas.

I read the comments always from the bottom. Then, I read your comment in the upper paragraphs. Coincidentally, I watched TV yesterday (sunday) ( i have stopped watching TV except for Peace of mind - of Brahmakumaris). I saw too much of exposure to RT. I think I have to accept your argument. I have read lot of Forsythes, Wallaces, Archers, Sheldons, Cooks, Grishams, etc... I can very well connect pieces which have fallen off in very far off places. My above comment was a kneejerk seeing rojdeep thrashed. Accepted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOrpn3zIs5c this one is the most blasted interview I have ever seen.. KEJRIWAL is exposed to the end by none other than co founder himself... Please publish the facts mentioned in your next article,, people need to know the dangerous side of Kejriwal n yogendra yadav

Modi has again scored a fast one on these morons.He has given interviews in Hindi for Hindi voters in 200 seats where BJP hopes to sweep.Interviews during election times are different.These morons should know.All political parties organize such interviews to secure more votes.Likes of RS,BD and others feel that Modi has bypassed them.No! Modi doesn't need their approval at the moment.Modi needs votes from his supporters.hence these interviews. Modi's grace and erudition on TV has floored these morons.They compare it with SG,RG or worst MMS.Like Modi is scoring in election arena, here too he appears to be having better of these morons.

The leftists and the other left of centre morons have a cult feeling that they are very sophisticated beings and those outside their cozy club are some lower level species to play with..And that they can think in very abstract levels and have premonition of what will happen, much before ordinary mortals.All what they have mastered is queens English all their lives or some artform( besides,remix music,fashion designs,etc) applauded by their own clans on u scratch my back and I scratch urs basis.NaMo is very practical and has a way of touching the heart of aam aadmi. I don’t know of any sophisticated person in India who would tow the BJP line. This is clearly an unwritten class that they between them have created and identify with.In most studio debates, it is easy to judge their views on any subject even before they open their mouth.We can trace their origins to JNU, DU ,or st. stephens. They are the left over relics of the raj. I wonder if the new govt would take sometime to have a re-look on the course syllabus of these anti national factories.Their wares like liberalism and sickularism does not sell with minorities. So they mollycoddle them for fear of life.Super secularists like Mani Shankar Iyer and D.Raja etc are going to be very angry if BJP wins.The nation will face their wrath. Today Iyer has already said that he will topple the govt if BJP wins.He places his choices above that of the whole nation of lesser beings.

Justice Arnab too tried to interview Raj T(RT) and got smacked. These traders are used to handle civil Ravi Shankar Prasad types and not the aggro troika of Smriti, M Lekhi, Nirmala Sitharaman or RT types. RT even said at one point "kahan se laaye ho isko" to justice Arnab and plainly told him you want me to say what you want to hear and I will not say it. Arnab had to seek permission from him to even ask questions. Arnab was clearly rattled

But then Mr. Sharma adds humour towards such questions and make it more of a laughing stock rather than an interview question....Thus, fissuring the negativity surrounding non parliamentarian remarks....(Should I use this, as the standard is getting low day by day...)

Also, as it was pointed out above that the format of AAP ki ADALAT is known to interviewee and public at large since the days of ZEE...

Further, the command over hindi and talking with reference (newspaper clips, dates etc) is where Rajat wins over Mr. Justice Choudhary and Mr. Psuedo Sick Journo.....

I watched both interviews - by RS and Arnab. RS was a disaster and you could see that the man has lost his self esteem and self respect. Arnab kept asking the same question again and again. Both these newstraders could not swallow how could someone do openly declare his support for Modi...RajT came out good in both the interviews, he was also very good on Aap Ki Adalat by Rajat

Shriman Modi ji is the great leader of this nation. His infinite wisdom, erudition, and commitment for the betterment of the people, understanding of the common man's struggle is awe-inspiring to see as it is beautiful to behold. We're going to enter the golden age very soon!

Excellent Article. It was very unfortunate for India that the people like Rajdeep, Sagarika and Bdutt became the torch bearer of Journalists when the Media industry exploded in India. I can clearly see that MODI's masterstroke to sideline these nincompoops is working. He is picking the channels which is reaching the Hindi heartland - sending 2 messages 1) Reach out to Maximum viewers in Hindi heartland 2) Showing these channels their places NDTV, CNNIBN that they are not the only means to reach out to people & hence not very important to BJP/MODI's mission

I can see that tide is already turning against these journos & they are getting desperate

I saw both interviews of Raj T vs arnab & RS.I felt RS interview was better in a sense that he asked more Qs n relevant ones. But the best part is the answers RajT have. At one point RS was looking at ceiling wondering what went wrong with his question ... That was one lol moment. Both interviews I had happy feeling that someone put these crony celebrity editors in their place

Sorry , did not like SP interview. there were numerous ways she could have trapped Modi but did not. I liked the Aap Ki Adalat interview coz it had a constricted agenda. Only questions on the campaign. However SP was free or seemed to be free, asking all sorts of questions. She should have asked Modi, As PM will he not wish minorities on their festivals. What exactly is meant by following your traditions and not those of others. Sometimes you can trap people by agreeing with them , instead of brow-beating them. Anyway SP seemed too scared of him. I guess the monster rumours affected her. Could not sit through Goswami's and Sardesai's ridiculous interrogation of RajT.

Off topic but observations - Modi said women issues should not be politicised but is going hammer and tongs against everyone on the same. Its not cool. Either he should not have taken a grand stand, or if he has he should stick to it.

Trolling by Rajdeep and his Hamam of Liberal Left of Centre, people believe will at least be successfully in keeping Mr. Modi at bay and forcing him to adopt a more tolerant Centric approach. Similarly, Articles like and continued scrutiny would force Rajdeep to act in diffidence and would force him to adopt a more balanced and equal handed approach whilst dealing with different ideologies and political parties. Meanwhile, India still craves for a Quality English News Channel with a Neutral line or one leaning slightly to left of Centre.

Mukesh Ambani,Naveen Jindal,Vijay Mallya,Narayan Murthy and many more are holding stake(directly or indirectly) in many media houses. Rajdeep, Barkha, Sagarika,etc are working there and making money as employee,and doing exactly what their bosses want them to do.

Let all the filth come out in open! To clean the 'system', we need to know what/whom to clean. After May 16th, expect a major reforms to News Publishing/Broadcasting. An investigation into Journalistic imprudence / code violation / bias of 2002 riots, 26/11 attack, muzzfrngr riots will unmask all these "newstraders". Waiting for the D Day!

Arnab Goswami shouting furiously at Meenakshi Lekhi: "Do not accuse the media of being partisan, the media knows its job, but it is the job of the media to be non-partisan..."

This guy always came across as a little less one-sided with his attacks than most of the usual Oxbridge/JNU educated crowd of liars, even though he clearly largely shares the political disposition of the latter. But from that statement he's either just as big a liar, incredibly deluded or as dumb as two short planks.

His Newshour Debate has always been merely a platform for his misplaced, galaxy-sized ego, and his highly opinionated, brash and brazen hypocrisy towards guests (a.k.a. punching bags) contradicts his disingenuous, sanctimonious claims of non-partisanship. It grates on the nerves. What a complete and utter twat. The fact he is one of the better "journalists" just highlights the atrocious state of the English-speaking media in India.

i was watching the interview and was shell shocked at the "bhonkta hai" comment. And Raj T repeated it daring him several times that he dodged. I came here to bring that to your notice and gladly notice that i am a tad bit late in time and words.

BTW did anyone see the "Chennai Chaupal" at Loyola? There was this guy who supported BJP in the crowd. When he spoke in favour of BJP, the crowd demanded to know his affiliation in a threatening way. But the same did not happen when someone else told that he sees only dirt instead of Lotus. An old lady at the end of the program says that being in TN Sagarika should not say "Chennai Chaupal" as Chaupal is a Hindi word. Sagarika concludes the program parroting this quote as if it is some Gospel. Rajdeep on the other hand spends an hour with RT on his hate against north Indians. These morons preach that unity of India will be gone if Modi comes to power.

I have to agree that even if for nothing else, the recent interviews with Narendra Modi stand out for the fact that they are dignified and low-decibel ones :)

Although Aap Ki Adalat was fun to watch, even I, a Modi-supporter, thought that Rajat Sharma was overly fawning.But Raviprakash, Smita Prakash & Sanjay Pugalia were much better - they were respectful and yet asked some of the questions that Modi has been "allegedly" avoiding. They were a pleasure to watch.

It was a far cry from the loud and childish screaming sessions that pass as interviews and debates on other channels.

Even Arnab Goswami, who seems to be trying hard to balance his whiplashes equally among all parties, seems lost & out-of-control in his debate hours.

For the last ten years, we have to bear with the stinking community of Rajdeep, Barkha and other shameless journalists. They know they are a blot on journalism, but, they hav reaped the benefits of propagating someone's agenda.The coming days will make their life tougher for sure!

Journalists believe that their analysis is essential in decoding what will happen accurately.They are mistaken as they were after emergency,after 2004 and recently in late 2012 where they thought that a 80 year old Keshubhai could pose a serious challenge to NaMo(the entire party won 2 seats).Polls this time around will be won or lost on 3 simple things:-Beauracratic Efficiency-Economic Improvement in real terms.-Infrastructural growth.Journalists may keep hinting to caste, gender , religion etc, but the voter will march to the beat of his/her own drum.The very concept of tactical voting, caste consolidation is outdated. The journalists might think the game is the same old, but the voter and few parties know that everything has changed.

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